With strong squads for both sides, it promised to be an entertaining encounter and the match certainly lived up to that billing. It was the GB Deaf side that had the better of the opening exchanges, with some very neat and tidy early play. After 10 minutes, the visitors broke down the right with power and pace, forcing their way into the Newbury penalty area and a strong near post finish opened the scoring. One nil to the GB Deaf squad.

Newbury then rallied and they started to press and close down their opponents higher up the pitch. With more possession gained, Newbury carved out their first chance on the 20 minute mark. After good link up play between Lily Chubb, Caroline Harkness and Kendall Gilmore, it was Gilmore that was released into a through channel. She was still some way from goal, with a lot to do however, but she showed sublime skills to beat 3 players and send in a powerful strike that went in off the post, to make it all even at 1-1.

The first half was proving to be a fairly even contest, between two good footballing sides, but it was Newbury that edged in front just prior to the half time whistle. Top scorer, Ruby Oliver was fed a great pass from Caz Harkness, which she latched onto eagerly, shooting early and beating the keeper from long range. Newbury taking a 2-1 lead at the break.

Kicking off the second period, Newbury continued with the same attacking momentum, feeding Oliver from a deep free kick. With her back to goal, she played the ball out to Newbury’s right wing, where Skipper, Leanne Creese, beat the full back during a marauding run down the flank. On reaching the by-line she sent in a great pull back to the edge of the area, where Caz Harkness was arriving from midfield. Her first time finish just clipping the top of the cross bar. It was a narrow escape for the visitors.

The GB Deaf side then took advantage of a miscommunication in the Newbury back line on 63 minutes. An attack down Newbury’s left resulted in the home side’s keeper coming off her line to clear 18 yards out. With neither goalkeeper or defence dealing effectively with the danger, the loose ball fell back into the path of the opposition right winger, who struck first time a looping shot into the roof of the Newbury net. The visitors were worth their equaliser and it was now 2 goals apiece.

The half had now really come alive, with good scoring chances at either end and plenty of inventive attacking play for both sides. Oliver went close on two further occasions for Newbury and the GB Deaf side’s closest effort rattled the crossbar.

The best move of the half resulted in Newbury’s third goal. The ball was initially played through midfield and up to Jenny Petrylak in the forward position. She laid the ball into the right hand channel for Creese to chase and she won a throw-in for Newbury just 10 yards from the by-line. After further good pressure from Petrylak just inside the penalty area, she gained possession and laid a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Anna Risdale, who had advanced from deep. Her lashed shot was unstoppable and it rifled into the roof of the net to put Newbury in front once again, giving them a 3-2 lead.

That advantage lasted no longer than 2 minutes however, as the GB Deaf side went on the attack again straight from the restart. It was another break down the right, followed by a searching cross, which was well met by the striker and converted to restore parity. 3-3 was the final score, which was a fair reflection on the match. It was a very good work-out and exercise for both sides, with Sami Atkins, Anna Risdale and Lauren Sheldon putting in very solid performances for Newbury.